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United States Patent |
5,197,502
|
Wang
|
March 30, 1993
|
Walking stick
Abstract
A walking stick is aimed to resolve conventional problems provided with
durable structure, which generally has a circular cross-sectional pipe
frame formed of two semi-circular pipe members connected with ribs in
between. The pipe frame is cut to separate to a suitable position, such
that cut portion of pipe frame may be extended outwardly to form U-shaped
bifurcated pipe, and secured with supporting cushions on the top to
partially support body weight of the user. The other end of pipe frame is
connected with a hollow shaft, so made that it is adjustable by means of
resilient clamping means.
Inventors:
|
Wang; Lee M. (No. 95, Chu Wei Wei, Chiao Nan Li, Yen Shui Chen, Tainan Hsien, TW)
|
Appl. No.:
|
648959 |
Filed:
|
February 1, 1991 |
Current U.S. Class: |
135/69; 135/68 |
Intern'l Class: |
A61H 003/02 |
Field of Search: |
135/68,69,72,73,75
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1157314 | Oct., 1915 | Compte | 135/73.
|
3032048 | May., 1962 | Hoffmann | 135/72.
|
4721125 | Jan., 1988 | Wang-Lee | 135/68.
|
5050692 | Sep., 1991 | Beimgraben | 1/1.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
463774 | May., 1950 | CA | 135/67.
|
187555 | Jul., 1907 | DE2 | 135/69.
|
115731 | May., 1918 | GB | 135/68.
|
Primary Examiner: Raduazo; Henry E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rosenberg; Morton J., Klein; David I.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A walking stick comprising:
a pipe frame having an upper portion and a lower portion, said pipe frame
formed of a pair of closed contour pipe members, each of said closed
contour pipe members having an arcuate wall member and an inner wall
member having a planar section, said lower portion of said pipe frame
having said closed contour pipe members fixedly coupled each to the other
by a rib member fixedly secured to each of said pipe member planar
sections on opposing ends thereof, said upper portion of said pipe frame
being bifurcated whereby each of said closed contour pipe members are
displaced each from the other;
a support cushion mounted on an upper end of each of said closed contour
pipe members;
a holding member mounted between said closed contour pipe members of said
upper portion of said pipe frame; said holding member secured to each of
said closed contour pipe members by a pair of pin members insertable
through a pair of aligned openings formed through each of said closed
contour pipe members;
a hollow shaft for insert of said lower portion of said pipe frame; said
hollow shaft and said lower portion of said pipe frame having cooperating
through openings; and,
resilient clamp means having a pin member extending between a pair of
C-shaped arms, said pin member passing through said cooperating through
openings, said C-shaped arms substantially encircling said hollow shaft.
2. The walking sticks as recited in claim 1 where said arcuate wall members
are formed in a substantially semi-circular contour.
3. The walking stick as recited in claim 1 where said arcuate wall members
are formed in a substantially semi-elliptical contour, said arcuate
portion of each of said closed contour pipe members being thicker in
dimension than said planar portion to resist bending moments.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to walking sticks and particularly to the
kind known as crutches for releasable mounting under the user's armpits.
PRIOR ART
Crutches or walking sticks are well known in the prior art. One such prior
art walking stick or crutch is shown in FIG. 1. In this type of crutch
three circular pipes 1 are provided which are connected by a rib 13 to
each other. A suitable length of vertically directed central pipe 11 is
provided between bifurcated pipes 12 which are further bent to form a
U-shaped pipe frame. A plurality of through holes 121 are formed through
said U-shaped frame to receive a cushion 4. The central pipe frame 11 is
provided in a suitable length so that it is substantially longer than the
pipes 12 to receive a supporting pipe 2 via a bias spring 21 disposed
between aligned through holes formed in central pipe 11 and supporting
pipe 2.
Although such prior art systems may satisfy basic needs, such are subject
to some disadvantages, for instance, material is wasted during
manufacturing and the overall system is comparatively heavy which
increases the manufacturing and shipping costs and is cumbersome for the
user to manipulate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention utilizes a circular or elliptical cross-sectional
pipe formed of two semi-circular or semi-elliptical pipe members connected
by ribs therebetween. The ribs of the pipe are removed at a suitable
location and the remaining pipe members are bent to form a U-shaped pipe
frame. Supporting cushions are placed on the top of the U-shaped frame to
partially support the body weight of the user.
A hollow shaft is further connected to a lower portion of the cut pipe
members and is attached to the pipe frame by a resilient clamping
mechanism.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a walking stick
which is light in weight and compact in size.
It is a still further object of the present invention to save material
during manufacture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art walking stick;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;
FIG. 2A is a cross-section of the present invention taken along the section
line A--A of FIG. 2 when the pipe members are semi-elliptical in contour;
FIG. 2B is a cross-section of the present invention taken along the section
line A--A of FIG. 2 when the pipe members are semi-cylindrical in contour;
FIG. 2C is a cross-section of a lower portion of the pipe frame when the
pipe members are semi-elliptical in contour;
FIG. 2D is a cross-section of a lower portion of the pipe frame when the
pipe members are semi-cylindrical in contour; and,
FIG. 2E is a partially cut-away elevational view of the upper portion of
the pipe frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a walking stick which generally
comprises circular pipe frame 5 having two semi-circular closed contour
pipe members 51 connected by a pair of ribs 52 extending between the pipe
members 51 shown in FIG. 2D. The semi-circular closed contour pipe members
51 further have smaller coaxial, semi-circular defining inner walls 54,
and the remaining section defining planar walls 53 to increase resistance
to bending moments applied during use. Pipe frame 5 is cut in half through
ribs 52 to a suitable location and then separated with the semi-circular
pipe members 51 bent to form a U-shaped bifurcated pipe as shown in FIGS.
2 and 2E.
A plurality of through holes 55 are formed through U-shaped bifurcated pipe
members 51 in aligned fashion as shown. A pin or bolt 56 with a suitable
securement is then inserted through holes 55. A holder 7 is mounted
between pipe members 51 to assist the user's control of the walking stick.
The lower portion of pipe frame 5, where ribs 52 are not removed or cut is
inserted into a hollow shaft or sleeve 6 for support and adjustment
purposes. The hollow shaft 6 has a ring member 61 mounted at an upper end,
and a cushion member 62 mounted at a bottom end.
A plurality of through holes 58 are provided in vertical alignment on the
lower portion of pipe frame 5 which corresponds to an opening 63 formed
through hollow shaft 6 to receive pin 92 of locking mechanism 9. Locking
mechanism 9 has a pair of resilient clamp members of C-shaped contour
facing inwardly to clamp on the outer circumference of hollow shaft 6 as
pin 92 of locking mechanism 9 is inserted into through hole 63 of hollow
shaft 6 and further into through hole 58 of the pipe frame 5 as shown in
FIGS. 2A and 2B.
Additionally, a supporting cushion 8 is mounted on the top of bifurcated
pipe members 51 for contiguous interface with the armpit of a user as an
aid to assist walking of an injured person.
While there has been shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
it is obvious to one skilled in the art that various changes of structure
and elements may be within the scope of the invention. For example,
semi-circular pipe members 51 may be replaced as half-elliptical
cross-section pipe members 101 connected by ribs 102 provided with a plane
wall 103 and inner walls 104, whereby outer pipe walls 105 are
substantially thicker than inner walls 104 to additionally resist bending
moments.
Consequently it is to be understood that the embodiment shown and described
is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and that various changes
may be made in the construction, composition and arrangement of parts
without limitation upon or departure from the spirit and scope of the
invention, or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof inherent therein,
all of which are herein claimed.
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